How to Freeze Panes in Excel?

In this article you will learn how to use Freeze and Unfreeze Panes in Excel.

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What does it mean to freeze panes in Excel?

To freeze panes in Excel means to keep a certain row or column visible on the screen while scrolling through a large worksheet. This feature is particularly useful when working with large tables or datasets in Excel.

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By default, when you scroll down or across a worksheet, the header row (containing column labels) and the first column (containing row labels) will disappear from view. This can make it difficult to keep track of the data, especially if you have a lot of columns or rows.

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When are Freeze Panes useful in Excel?

The "Freeze Panes" option in Excel is useful when you are working with a large dataset or a large table and you want to keep certain rows or columns visible while scrolling through the rest of the sheet. A few examples of when the "Freeze Panes" option can be helpful are:

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1. Working with large tables: If you have a large table with many columns, it can be helpful to freeze the first column so that it remains visible as you scroll through the rest of the table. This can help you keep track of the data in each row and make it easier to read and analyze the table.
2. Working with headers or labels: If you have a table with headers or labels in the top row, it can be helpful to freeze those rows so that they remain visible as you scroll through the rest of the table. 
3. Comparing data: If you have two tables side by side and you want to compare the data in each table, it can be helpful to freeze the first column or row of each table so that you can scroll through the rest of the tables while still being able to see the first column or row of each table.

Overall, the "Freeze Panes" option in Excel is a useful tool when working with large datasets or tables and helps you keep track of your data and make it easier to analyze and navigate your worksheets.

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How to freeze panes in Excel? 

Please follow the steps below to freeze panes in Excel:

Step 1: Select the cell below the row you want to freeze, or the cell to the right of the column you want to freeze.

Step 2: Click the "View" tab on the ribbon.

Step 3: Click "Freeze Panes" and then choose one of the following options:

1. "Freeze Panes": this will freeze both the rows and columns above and to the left of the selected cell. In the sample image below it will freeze the top two rows and the first two columns.
2. "Freeze Top Row": this will fix only the top row of the worksheet.
3. "Freeze First Column": this will keep only the first column of the worksheet visible all the time.

Step 4: Once you've selected an option, Excel will freeze the designated rows or columns and keep them visible on the screen as you scroll through the rest of the worksheet. This can make it much easier to work with large tables or datasets in Excel.

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How to unfreeze panes in Excel

Please follow the steps below to unfreeze panes in Excel:

Step 1: Click on any cell on the sheet that had frozen panes and then click on the "View" tab on the ribbon.

Step 2: Click "Freeze Panes" and then choose the “Unfreeze Panes” option 

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Once you've selected an option, Excel will unfreeze the designated rows or columns and they will no longer be visible on the screen as you scroll through the worksheet.

Note: Irrespective of whether you have previously frozen rows, columns or both only “Unfreeze Panes” i.e. unfreeze both rows and columns together option will be available 

What are shortcut keys to freeze and unfreeze panes in Excel?

Please see below for the keyboard shortcuts that you can use to Freeze & Unfreeze Panes

Windows

1. To freeze the top row: Select the row below the last row you want to freeze, then press Alt + W + F + T.
2. To freeze the first column: Select the column to the right of the last column you want to freeze, then press Alt + W + F + C.
3. To freeze both the top row and the first column: Select the cell below the last row and to the right of the last column you want to freeze, then press Alt + W + F + F.
4. To unfreeze the top row, the first column or both: Select any cell on the sheet you want to freeze, then press Alt + W + F + U.

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You can learn about other Excel and Google Sheets formulas and tips that are not mentioned here on this page: LiveFlow‘s How to Guides